Crowborough Birthing Centre 'closed until May' amid review

The Crowborough Birthing Centre has temporarily paused birthing services until May 2026 as part of a strategic review of maternity services.

Key Details of the Closure:-

• Reasons for Suspension: The Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells (MTW) NHS Trust cited ongoing staffing shortages as the primary reason for the pause, stating that patient safety is their priority.
• Strategic Review: The facility is currently included in a broader strategic review conducted by NHS Kent and Medway ICB and NHS Sussex ICB. There is currently no specific timeline for a final decision on reopening.
• Ongoing Services: While inpatient birthing is suspended, the centre remains open for community antenatal and postnatal services, parent education classes, and the Infant Feeding Café.
• Alternative Options: Expectant mothers are being redirected to Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Maidstone Birth Centre, or other facilities in Haywards Heath and Eastbourne. 

Local Response:-

The closure has met significant community opposition: 

• Nusrat Ghani MP (Sussex Weald) has launched a campaign and petition to reopen the unit, which has garnered thousands of signatures.
• Local residents and the Friends of Crowborough Hospital have held protests, expressing concern over the loss of midwife-led birthing choices in the area.